Apparatus for abrasively treating metal castings, forgings, and the like



April 29, 1941. D. c. TURNBULL 3 4 APPARATUS FOR ABRASIVELY TREATING METAL CASTINGS, FORQINGSy ANDjIHE LiKE Filed Feb. 17, 1938 7 Sheefs Shee'tL 1 INVENTOR ah m M, 7 J L r 8 w w v i 1 i d1 4 5 v WM .flfl m. in: \a I nmvyfil wfi M C J 7 I 1 %I 3% mm, fl li A n Ami...

D z w'cl C. Tar/7 bull Ap 9, 1941- D. c; TURNBULL APPARATUS FOR ABRASIVELY TREATING METAL CASTiNGS, FORGINGS, AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 17, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 2' lNV ENTOR u nbull BY I April 1941- .D. c. TURNBULL 2,240,248

APPARATUS FOR ABRASIVELY TREATING METAL CASTINQS, FORGINGS, AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 17, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 "VY-E'I-I'YNVENTOR Band F1 buH B QM: M" I D. c. TURNBULL 2,240,248

APPARATUS FOR'ABRASIVELY TREATING METAL CASTINGS, FORGINGS, AND THE LIKE April 29, 1941.

Filed' Feb. 1'7, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 an a ATTORNEY April 29, 1941.

' APPARATUS FOR ABRASIVELY TREATING MET AL 3AS'1INGS, FO'RQINGS, AND THE LIKE D. C. TURNBULL Filed Feb. 1'7, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Ill/A INVENTOR avid C @177 by BY ha- 2424; ATTORNEY April D. c; TURNBULL V 2,240,248

APPARATUS FOR ABRASIVELY TREATING METAL CASTINGS, FORGINGS, AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. '17, 195B 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR d w'd' C 72/061111 ATTORNIEY abrasive particles.

Patented Apr. 29, 1941 s. PATENT OFFICE nrrmrus FOB annasrvsmz TREATING METAL cas'rmcs, FORGINGS, AND ma LIKE David C Turnbull, Mishawaka, Ind., assignor to The American Foundry Equipment Company, Mishawaka, Ind.', a corporation of Delaware Application February 17, 1938, Serial No. 190,924

21 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for abrasively treating metal castings, i'crgings and the like. I

In the cleaning, polishing, hardening or other treatment of metallic castings, forgings or the like by a stream of abrasive particles, it is generally desirable to expose all or predetermined portions of the surfaces of the articles uniformly to the action of the stream of abrasive. Where the articles are relatively small and rugged they can be exposed conveniently for treatment in a tumbling mill or like apparatus. However, tumbling is not suitable in many instances, for example, where the articles are large andheavy, or are delicate and brittle, or have substantial projections or cavities. Furthermore, it is often desirable to expose the articles to the abrasive stream in a predetermined, controlled manner in order to insure complete treatment of certain portions or all of the surfac of each article.

Where relativelylarge quantities of articles are to be treated, it is also desirable to pass them in succession through the abrasive stream in a more or less continuous feeding operationgto eliminate the necessity for shutting down the apparatus, as is necessary in batch operations. Preferably, the operation should be adapted to be carried out partially or completely by automatic apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, the article to be treated or so-called work piece is advanced into a treating zone wherein it is subjected to the action of one or more streams of The stream or streams have a divergent fan-like shape and the work piece is moved about the stream or streams whereby the angularity of impingement of abrasive particles against the various surfaces of the work piece is varied, thereby to effect complete treatment of the various surfaces including cavities, depressions and other irregular portions. work piece may be-rotated or turned while in the abrasive stream or streams to more fully expose the various portions to the action of the abrasive. In certain cases, the direction of flight of the abrasive particles is varied as the work piece is moved about in the treating zone whereby the stream follows the movement of the work piece and a greater range of movement of the work piece is obtainable and consequently a greater range of variation of angularity of impingement. I

The apparatus includes one or more abrasive The of the centrifugal throwing wheel type provided with means for controlling the direction of flight of the thrown abrasive and adapted to project a fan-like divergent stream. A conveyor mechanism is provided for advancing the work pieces into the treating zone and includes one or more carriers for the work pieces and a mechanism for advancing the carriers. A mechanism, synchronized with or connected to the advancing mechanism, is provided for manipulating each carrier whereby the work piece is moved in the desired manner while in the stream or streams and then carried out of the treating zone. There is also provided mechanism for controlling the abrasive projector or projectors whereby the abrasive stream or streams follow the movement of the work piece or work pieces while in the treating zone.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel abrasive projector of the rotary centrifugal type embodying a control member for controlling the direction of flight of the thrown abrasive and a novel mechanism for actuating the control member either manually, or automatically by actuation of a movable, article-conveying apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for abrasively treating various metallic articles wherein the articles are advanced into the stream of treating particles and manipulated in the stream in such a way that all or predetermined portions of the articles are exposed for treatment.

' Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the class described wherein articles are automatically advanced into the treating stream and moved aboutin the stream so that not only are all surfaces of the articles treated but also any cavities or depressions as are provided in articles of irregular shape.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide novel apparatus wherein the direction of flight of the abrasive particles may be varied automatically in a predetermined manner or may be controlled in accordance with the movement of the article to be treated.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which'are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects projecting devices each of which preferably is 55 and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming apart thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one form of apparatus suitable for carrying out the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the lower portion of the structure being shown merely in outline;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and illustrating particularly a portion of the article elevating mechanism and the throwing wheel control;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5'5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation showing the cooperation between the drive chain and the conveyor chain, certain of the parts being shown in cross section;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line of Fig. 6:

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the driving dog illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing one of the throwing wheels and associated control mechanism, certain of the parts being shown in cross section;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of a cross section taken along the line ill-l of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the outlet end of the housing or cabinet and illustrating the door opening mechanism; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing the outlet doors and operating mechanism therefor.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, the apparatus includes a housing 80 having respectively an inlet chamber 8|, a cleaning chamber 82 and an outlet chamber 83. Abrasive projectors A and B, which may be generally similar, are mounted on angularly arranged portions 84a and 8417 respectively of the front wall 84 and are adapted to project the streams a and bin the chamber 82.

The projector A includes a wheel i, shown more in detail in Figs. 9 and 10, and which comprises spaced parallel side plates 2 and 3 suitably secured together as by studs 4 having reduced end portions entering openings in the side plates and secured, as by plug welding. The side plate 2 preferably is secured as by bolts 1 to a hub member 8 which is suitably mounted on a shaft 9 for rotation therewith.

Throwing blades l0 are disposed between and carried by side plates 2 and 3 and extend radially thereof from the periphery to points inwardly short of the center. Each throwing blade may have side flanges ll adapted to seat in grooves llinthesideplateslandtandissecuredby ascrew llextendingthroughthesideplate! and entering a recess ll in the blade II.

An impeller II is disposed in the circular space defined by the ends of the blades II and may include spaced parallel side plates II and I1 carrying a plurality of radial blades ll. The impeller 15 is secured suitably as by bolts II to a center plate 20 which in turn is attached to the hub I as by screws 2|.

Disposed within the circular space defined by the ends of the throwing blades and surrounding the impeller II is a control member 25 preferably of generally cylindrical shape. The control member 26 is partially closed at the 'end adlament the hub by an inturned end flange or wall 26. The control member 25 projects through an opening 22 in the side plate 3 and has a generally trough-like extension 21.

The control member is provided with a discharge opening 28 which may take the form of a single opening or a series of spaced openings suitably located in the control member.

A suitable feeding means, such as a nozzle 30, is associated with the wheel and is positioned to deposit abrasive material into the path of rotation of the impeller blades [8. The nozzle 30 may extend into the control member and may be sealed therein by a suitable sealing material 3|, such as rubber. The sealing material may be contained in a groove 32 formed integral with the nozzle 30 or defined by a separately formed end member.

The wheel is operated by rotating the shaft 8 which rotates the side plates 2 and 3 and the throwing blades 10. Abrasive is fed to the impeller I I through the nozzle 30 and the impeller hurls the abrasive through the opening 28 on to the throwing blades l0. Abrasive is carried along the leading surfaces of the throwing blades and is projected from the blades adjacent the periphery.

The abrasive spreads out fanwise to form a stream which is approximately equal to the width of the throwing blades and which produces a generally elongated impingement pattern on a plane spaced from the wheel and parallel to the axis of rotation. With wheels of similar construction and size rotated at the same speed, a fixed relation exists between the clock-dial position of the opening 28 of the control member 25 and the point of discharge of the abrasive from the blades ll. By adjusting the position of the opening 28, the direction of the abrasive thrown by the wheel may be regulated.

It is to be understood that the term abrasive as herein used is intended to include suitable treating material, both that which is inherently abrasive and that which exerts a smoothing and polishing action. The abrasive may include smooth steel shot, cracked steel grits, quartz sand or other granular materials suitable for cleaning, polishing, hardening or otherwise modifying the surface characteristics of the articles treated.

While the direction of the stream of abrasive can be controlled, it is sometimes desirable to provide a housing for the wheel, one suitable housing. being shown particularly in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings. The housing 35 may be generally arcuate in shape and the wall adjacent the nozzle 30 has an opening 38 to admit the nozzle. The space around the nozzle 30 may be partially closed by a collar 31 having an inturned flange 38 and secured in position by a securing ring 39. At the other side of the housg 2,240,248 in 35 there is provided an opening 48 to permit the hub 8' and shaft 8 to extend out of the housing and this opening may be sealed by a suitable gasket 4I contained in a ring-like housing A suitable control mechanism 58 may be mounted adjacent the wheel for adjusting the position of the control member 25. The troughshaped portion 21 of the control member 25 is suitably connected, as by clamp members 8| and 52, to a rotatable bearing block 58 having an internal passage 58 to receive a spindle 58. The spindle 59 has a threaded portion 88 screwed into a bracket GI and secured as by a nut 82. The bracket is suitably supported as by attachment to a supporting bracket 83.

The spindle 59 is formed with a cylindrical portion 65 journaled in a bearing 81 at one end of the block 55 and a reduced cylinder portion 88 journaled in a bearing 89 at the other end of the block. The central portion of the spindle 59 may be tapered, as shown, for convenience in assembling and the reduced end 88 may be threaded as indicated at 18 to receive a retaining nut 1|. The end of the passage 58 may be closed by a cover 12 suitably secured to the block 58.

The bearing block 56 may be rotated about its axis by a lever 15 suitably secured to the block as by bolts 16, and an actuating rod 11 may be connected to the lever 15 for actuating the same. It will be seen that, when the rod 11 is actuated to move the lever 15, this motion is transmitted to the bearing block 56 and in turn to the control member 25, whereby the clock-dial position of the opening 28 is adjusted accordingly.

Each shaft 9 (Fig. 2) mounting each wheel l is journaled in bearings 98, which may bej'secured to the adjacent wall portion 84a or to the adjacent wall portion 84b. Each wheel is driven by a motor 9| connected by a suitable drive.t92 to the shaft 9.

The projector B is preferably of generally similar construction to the projector A and is mounted on the wall portion 84b, while the projector A is mounted on the wall portion 84a. It will be seen that the projectors A and B are so mounted that the streams a and b converge and impinge against the work piece wp when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The lower portion of the housing is formed as a hopper 93 to collect spent abrasive which has been thrown by the projectors A and B. A suitable conveyor 94 may be providedfor carrying spent abrasive to an elevator 98 adapted to elevate the spent abrasive to a. storage hopper 98. The elevator 95 is driven by a motor 31, and a drive connection 98 may be provided for driving the conveyor 94 from the elevator 95.. Conduits 99a, 99b are provided for conducting the abrasive from the hopper 98 to the spouts 38, 38.

A conveyor mechanism is provided for advancing work pieces wp through the housing. This mechanism operates to elevate and lower the work pieces while in the cleaning chamber and at the same time rotates them for the purpose of presenting the various surfaces to the abrasive streams. This mechanism comprises essentially a track having one or more hangers movable thereon which are driven by an endless drive member, a portion of the track being removable and connected to an elevator mechanism synchronized with the driving mechanism whereby a hanger is halted on the removable track portion which is then elevated and rotated to impart similar movement of the hanger and work 88 preferably piece while the latter is in the abrasive stream or streams.

A track I88 which preferably is continuous,

except as hereinafter described, is supported above the housing 88 by suitable means which, for the purposes of simplicity of the drawings, is not shown in detail. The supporting means may comprise any suitable arrangement of framework I8la of sufficient strength for supporting the weight of the track and associated mechanism.

Mounted for movement on the track I88 is one or more, and preferably a plurality of, hangers I8I each comprising an elongated shank I82 carrying a hook portion I83 at its lower end for supporting the work piece wp. At its upper end the hanger comprises a yoke I85 carrying one or more pairs of wheels or rollers I86 riding on the track I88. The hangers I8I are connected to and driven by a conveyor chain II8 trained over sprockets III rotatably mounted on shafts II2 which preferably are located adjacent the ends of the housing 88.

, ner, (not shown).

The conveyor chain II8 may be constructed in any suitable manner but preferably comprises a plurality of link members II4 connected by pins II5 carrying spacing rollers II6. At spaced points along the chain corresponding to the desired spacing between hangers, a driving yoke I28 is connected to the chain, the yoke preferably being inserted in the chain and secured to the adjacent links by pin bolts H9. The end I2I of the yoke member is shaped to receive the shankv I82 of the hanger.

Secured to the chain II8 adjacent the driving yoke I28 and preferably attached by pin bolts II9 is a driving lug II1 having a suitable shape providing shoulders I I8.

The conveyor chain is driven by a pair of spaced drive chains I26, each of which is trained over a. plurality of sprockets I21 mounted on shafts I28 respectively. Each shaft I28 preferably is journalled in bearings I29 secured on brackets I38 which may be supported in a suitable man- One of the shafts I28 preferably is driven as by a motor I32 connected through a suitable drive I33 to a pinion I35 which meshes with a gear I 36 carried on the shaft to be driven.

The driving chain I26 may be constructed in any suitable manner and for example, may comprise .a plurality of links I31 connected by pins or rollers I38 and carries a driving dog I39 pivotally mounted on a shaft I48. The dog I39 comprises a sleeve-like hub portion MI and spaced arm's I42, each of which arms is provided with a shoulder I43 adapted to engage the corresponding shoulder II8 of the driving lug II1 when the chain I26 carries the dog I39 into suitable position. Sleeves I45 are provided for centerin'g the dog I39 on the shaft I48.

The dog I39 is urged into engagement with the lug II8 by springs I44 having their ends secured to the shaft I48 and the hub I4I respectively.

The shaft I48 extends inwardly from one of the chainsl26 and is mounted in a shaft yoke or connector I46 having flanges I48 and I49 providing bearings for the shaft. The shaft preferably is held against rotation in its bearings as by a pin I58. At the other end of the yoke or shaft connector is a flange I51 carrying a stud shaft I41 which is secured in the chain I25 whereby to support the yoke I46.

The arms I42 of the dog I39 carry at their free'iends rollers III mounted on pins I66 secured in openings Ill. The rollers III ride in a guide track I62 adjacent the conveyor chain III which track has an upper flange I68 for holding the roller down and thereby causing the dog In to engage the driving lug H1.

The track I62 preferably is provided with a suitably sh'aped entrance portion I64 and tail portion I66. The entrance portion insures that the roller is engaged by the track I62 and the tail portion I66 permits the roller to be withdrawn from the track without'binding. If desired, the track may be continuous and the rollers thereof are not disengaged therefrom during the complete movement of the drive chain I26.

It will now be seen that, when the motor I82 is actuated, the drive chain I26 is caused to travel around its path and carry the dog I88 into engagement with a, driving lug II1 on the conveyor chain. The driving lugs are sopositioned on the conveyor chain that when one driving lug is carried to the end of the movement in which it is in engagement with the dog. the succeeding driving lug is brought into position to be engaged by the dog on its next trip. Thus, during the period of disengagement of the dog with one driving ing and engagement with the next succeeding driving lug, the conveyor chain is stationary even though the main driving motor I32 remains energized.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, a lift mechanism I68 is provided adjacent the cleaning chamber 82 for imparting vertical movement to the hanger when it is in a position wherein the work piece is in the stream of abrasive. The track I88 is provided with a removable section I6I carried on a vertical shaft I62 mounted in a frame I63. The shaft is jomnalled in a cross head I64 vertically siidable in the frame I63, which cross head carries rollers I63 bearing against the sides of the frame I63 for guidin the cross head substantially without friction. The cross head preferably is formed with side members I66 connected by cross members I66 having secured therebetween a suitable bearing such as may be constituted by bearing members I61 and I68 having anti-friction bearing members I68. The shaft I62 is supported by the cross head I64 and is held against axial movement as by a pin I18 but it is permitted to rotate freely by the bearing above described.

The cross head is provided with projecting studs, such as rollers I", which ride in swingable elevating levers I12 which may be anchored in a suitable manner as by a link I13 pivotally connected to a fixed portion of the apparatus, such as the bracket I14. Carried. on the shafts I48 and I41 respectively arerollers I15, I15 positioned to engage the elevating levers I12 respectively. The latter rest freely upon the rollers I16, I15 and, when the rollers are carried upwardly by the ascending movement of the chain I26, the elevating levers I12 are elevated and thereby lift the cross head I64 and the shaft I62, the track section I6I and the hanger III I.

The shaft I 62 carries at its upper end a head I16 provided with studs I16 which may be formed as rollers and which ride in a helical guide I11 secured in the frame I63. As the cross head I64 and shaft I62 are elevated, the helical guide I11 operates on the studs I16 to turn the head I19 and shaft I62 on their common axis and thus the associated mechanism including the track section I 6i and shaft I82 are rotated.

The cross head carries rollers I62 which bear against the frame ill to guide the cross head and reduce friction. v

When the chain I26 is moved further along its path, the rollers I16 are lowered and the elevating levers I12 are rocked downwardly thereby permitting the cross head I64 and associated members to return to their original position.

During this downward movement the members connected with the cross head are also rotated about their common axis. A cylindrical guide I18 is provided for guiding the track section in its combined vertical and rotary movement.

Owing to the spread of the streams a and b, and particularly the divergent paths of the several portions of the streams, the various surfaces of the work piece are fully exposed to the action of the streams. The completeness of the exposure can be increased by causing the streams to follow the vertical movement of the work piece. Since a greater vertical travel of the work piece is thus permitted without the same being carried out of the streams, hence a greater range of angularity of impingement of the particles on the work piece can be obtained.

While the adjusting movement of the streams a and b can be effected by manually manipulating the actuating rods 11 of either or both of the projectors A and B, it is preferable in many cases to provide for automatic control of the streams, synchronized with the movement of the work piece. This can be accomplished by mechanism such as illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 4.

A cable I88 is attached to a portion of the vertically reciprocable structure, such as a lug I8I on one of the elevating levers I12. The cable is suitably guided as by pulleys I82 and I88 and is connected to a weighted cam I84 having T- shaped flanges I86 siidable in correspondingly shaped slots I86 in a guide block I81. Riding on the surfaces of the cam block I84 are followers I88, I88 which may be a roller carried on crank levers I88, I88 pivotally mounted on a stationary portion of the apparatus as for example, brackets I98. The actuating rods 11 respectiveiy are connected to the arm of the crank levers I88, I86 and may be adjusted with respect thereto by insertion in any one of several spaced openings I8I or in any other suitable manner.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that movement of the elevating levers I12 imparts a corresponding movement to the cam block I84. As the latter is elevated or lowered, the followers I88 are caused to move inwardly or outwardly and impart a downward or upward movement to the actuating rods 11 respectively. The cam block may be provided with differently inclined surfaces or other suitable mechanisms may be provided whereby one of the streams a or b is caused to travel upwardly at a more rapid rate than the other stream. In the present. example, the streams are caused to travel at approximately equal rates. Furthermore, if desired, the vertical adjustment of one or both of the streams may be such that the stream travels more rapidly than the work piece and traverses the same with a sweeping movement.

The housing 88 preferably is divided into inlet chamber 8I, cleaning chamber 82 and outlet chamber 83, as above stated. The housing 86 is provided with an opening 288 in the top wall throughout its length for permitting the shank I82 of the hanger IIII to pass into the housing. This opening preferably is closed as by one or more sets of flexible sealing members 20l suitably supported as by brackets 202.

Inlet and outlet openings 208 and 204 ar provided in the rear wall of the housing 80 for permitting the entrance and exit of the work pieces and a portionof the hanger. Each of these openings can be closed by swinging doors- 205 and 206, as illustrated particularly in Figs. 2 and 12. The swinging doors 205 and 206 are pivotally mounted on inclined hinge rods 201 and 208 associated with hinges 209. The hinge rods are so inclined that the doors 205 and 206 normally swing to closed position. Carried on the upper ends of the hinge rods 201 and 208 are actuating levers 2I0 and 2 which, when the doors .are in closed position, intersect in the path of movement of the hanger IOI.' When the shank I02 of the hanger IOI engages the actuating levers 2I0 and 2 it forces the doors 205 and 206 to open prior 'to the time that the workpiece wp reaches the opening. Hence, by the time the work piece has reached the opening, the doors are fully opened and do not interfere with the passage of the work piece.

Doors 25 and 2I6 of somewhat similar construction may be provided for separating the inlet chamber from the treating chamber and for separating the latter from the outlet chamber. These doors may be operated in a manner generaliy analogous to the inlet and outlet doors above described.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The motor I32 is energized to drive the chains I26, I26. The dog I39 is carried around by the chains I26 and is guided by the track I52 into engagement with the driving lug III. During the period of engagement between the dog I39 and the driving lug III the chain III) is advanced thereby to urge the several carriers IOI along on the supporting track I00.

At a suitable point outside of the housing 80 work pieces wp are attached to the carriers IN and, upon movement of the carriers are carried into the housing through the inlet and eventually into the treating chamber 82.

Either or both of the motors 90 are energized to drive the corresponding wheels of the projectors A and B and abrasive is supplied to the projectors from the hopper 96. The motor 91 is energized to actuate the conveyor 94 and elevator 95 thereby to return spent abrasive to the hopper 96.

-When the dog I39 is disengaged from the lug III, the conveyor chain H0 is halted and thus the carriers are halted. One of the carriers is halted in the track section I6I, and its work piece is in the streams a and b. a

When the dog I39 is carried upwardly away from the drive chain IIO, the roller I15 engage the free ends of the elevating levers I12 and carry them upwardly thereby elevating the cross head I64 and the carrier IOI supported on the track section I6I.

When the cross head I64 is elevated and carries with it the carrier IN, the corresponding work piece is moved upwardly in the streams a and b and the angularity of impingement of the abrasive on the work piece is varied. The carrier IOI also is rotated, thereby to expose the several surfaces of the work piece to the action of the abrasive streams. As the elevating levers I12 are rocked upwardly they act through the cable I80 and associated mechanism to rotate the control members 25 of the projectors A and 'carried into the treating zone.

B whereby the streams a and b follow the work piece in itsupward and downward movement.

Upon further actuation of the driving chains I28 the elevating levers are again lowered and the section I6'I is lowered into position in alignment with the remainder of the track to permit the carrier to be advanced along on the stationary portion or the track. The driving chains I20 again act upon the chains H0 and the-carrier is moved oi! the removable track section I8I. The

next carrier is then moved into position in the elevator.

The carriers are .thus advanced along the track, step by step, and the work pieces are advanced through the housing and finally out through the outlet. They can then be removed conveniently Irom their carriers.

In the illustrative embodiment'oi the invention, the carriers are moved into cooperative relation with the elevating mechanism singly, thus the articles. are singly and successively However, it is within the contemplation of the invention to provide tor the advancing of a plurality of articles into the treating zone simultaneously. This may be accomplished by providing a. treating'zone 01 such extent, and a'treating stream or sufllcient extent or a suflicient number oi! streams whereby a plurality of carriers can be moved into the zone simultaneously. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that a single carrier will be provided which is capable of supporting two or more articles simultaneously for treatment during a single passage of the carrier.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating metallic castings, forgings or other articles of various sizes and shapes, which articles may be or considerable size and irregular contour and which may have very irregular projections or depressions. The abrasive stream or streams are of tan-like, divergent shape and thus the particles impinge against the articles from various directions. Furthermore, the articles are rotated about in the stream or streams and thus fully exposed to the action of the treating particles. In addition, the articles are moved about within the treating zone and the streams follow the articles so that a still furthere variation in angularity between the direction of the particles and the surfaces of the articles is obtained. Thus, articles of even the most irregular contour can be fully exposed to the action of the particles. 5

The apparatus is substantially automatic in operation, the articles being carried into the treating zone and manipulated therein and thereafter removed from the treating zone without the necessity of manual manipulation of the articles or apparatus. The mechanism for con trolling the direction of the abrasive stream or streams may be controlled ma ually where such is desired, or may be interco nected with the conveying apparatus in a manner disclosed whereby this operation also is fully automatic.

The elevating mechanism and the conveying mechanism are mechanically interconnected so that the carriers are advanced to carry the articles'into the treating zone in timed sequence and only one or a predetermined plurality of articles are in the treating zone at one time, thus insuringagainst mal-functioning of any portion of the device.

The conveyor mechanism and door operatingmechanism are fully automatic and the various doors through which the articles pass are automatically opened and closed in accordance with the operation of the conveyor. Thus, the apparatus may be operated with a maximum of efficiency and maximum safety of the attendants.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be. made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for abrasively cleaning metal castings, forgings and like workpieces which comprises, means for establishing a stream of abrasive particles, a conveyor comprising a track and a plurality of carriers movable thereon, means for suspending said workpieces from said carriers, an elevator adapted to elevate each carrier when the workpiece suspended therefrom is in said stream, and driving means adapted alternately to advance said carriers to bring the workpiece suspended therefrom into said stream and to elevate the carrier and workpiece suspended therefrom in said stream.

2. Apparatus for abrasively cleaning metal castings, forgings and like workpieces which com-- prises an abrasive projector of the rotary centrifugal type having means associated therewith for controlling the direction of flight of the abrasive particles, conveyor means for advancing a work piece into said stream, means for moving the work piece in said stream in a direction transversely to its direction of movement into said stream, and means connecting said last named means and said direction controlling means for advancing the suspension device to move the work piece suspended therefrom into said stream in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis of the impingement pattern, and means for moving the article while in said stream ,in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said impingement pattern whereby the anguiarity of impingement of abrasive on said article is varied. said advancing means being operative to move said article out of said stream.

6. Apparatus for abrasively cleaning metal castings, forgings and the likecomprising an enclosed blast chamber, means including a rotary centrifugal throwing wheel for projecting a stream of abrasive particles into said chamber, a plurality of carriers each adapted to support a workpiece in suspended position, means for intermittently advancing workpieces into. said chamber. into said stream and out of said chamber, means for maintaining said carriers and the workpieces suspended therefrom in fixed predetermined spaced relation, means for elevating said carriers successively when the workpiece suspended therefrom is in said stream, and means actuating said elevating mechanism when said carriers are halted.

7. In an abrading machine, a circuitous track member, a plurality of workpiece suspension devices movable along said track member, an endwhereby said stream follows said work piece when the latter is moved transversely.

3. Apparatus for abrasively cleaning metal -castings. forgings and like metal articles comprising means for establishing a, stream-of abrasive particles, means for advancing an article into said stream including a carrier from which the article is suspended, means for supporting and guiding said carrier, and means for driving said carrier to advance the article suspended therefrom into said stream, means for elevating said carrier and the article suspended therefrom when said article is in said stream whereby said particles strike the surfaces of said article from varying angles, and means for actuating said elevating means in timed relation with said driving means.

4. Apparatus for abrasively cleaning metal castings, forgings and like metal articles comprising means for establishing a stream of abrasive particles, means for advancing an article into 7 said stream including a carrier from which the article is suspended, means including a track for supporting and guiding said carrier, a traveling mechanism for driving said carrier, means for elevating said carrier and the article suspended therefrom when said article is in said stream, and means cooperating with said traveling mechanism for actuating said elevating means in timed relation with said driving means.

5. Apparatus for abrasively cleaning metal castings, forgings and like workpieces comprising an abrasive projector of the rotary centrifugal type having means for controlling the direction of flight oi the thrown abrasive so as to project a divergent fan-like abrasive stream having an elongated impingement pattern, a suspension device for suspending the workpiece so as to provide substantially full exposure of the top and bottom ends and all sides of the workpiece, means 'less member connecting said workpiece suspension devices in predetermined spaced relationship, and means for advancing the workpieces supported on said suspension devices by stopand-move stages successively from a loading zone into a blasting zone and out of said blasting zone into an unloading zone, said advancing means ineluding, a continuous drive element, power means for continuously moving-said drive element, said drive element having one flight thereof moving along said track. another flight thereof moving away from said track, and another flight thereof moving toward said track. and a dog member connected to said drive element operative/to move into engagement withsaid endless member when said dog member approaches said track, thereafter to remain in engagement with said endless member until said dog member has advanced to a predetermined point and thereafter to disengage said endless member whereby said carriers and said endless member remain stationary until said dog has been moved around the circuitous path defined by said drive element to the point where said dog again moves into engagement with said endless member, and guide means extending along a portion of said endless member for retaining said dog member in positive engagement with said endless member during the predetermined advance movement thereof...

8. In an abrading machine, a workpiece supporting carrier,, means for advancing said carrier'by successive stop-and-go stages from a loading zone into a blasting zone and out of said blasting zone into anunloading zone, means for vertically reciprocating the article supported on said carrier while in-theblasting zone, and means for rotating the article supported on said carrier while undergoing said" vertical reciprocating movement, said rotatingmeans comprising an upwardLv spiralling track, and'means connected to said article supporting carrier movable along said track.

9. In an abrading machine. a substantially continuous track, aworkpiece supporting carrier movable along said track, said track having a dis- Joined section of sumcient length to support said workpiece carrier, means for maintaining said carrier in supported position on said disjoined section, means for lifting and lowering said disjoined section, the carrier supported thereon and the workpiece supported thereby, and a centrifugal blasting machine operative to project a stream of abrasive at blasting velocities against the workpiece supported on said carrier during the raising and lowering movement of said workpiece.

10. In an abrading machine, a workpiece supporting carrier, means for advancing said carrier by successive stop-and-go stages from a loading zone into a blasting zone and out of said blasting zone into an unloading zone, a continuous drive chain, means for driving said drive chain continuously in a predetermined direction, said drive chain having one flight moving in an upward direction and another flight thereof moving in a downward direction, a lever operatively connected to said carrier, a fulcrum element supporting said lever for pivotal movement, and means connected to said continuous drive chain for raising and lowering said lever, said carrier and the workpiece supported thereon when the workpiece is in said blasting zone.

11. In an abrading machine, a blasting chamber, a workpiece suspension device extending into -said blasting chamber, an abrasive projector of the centrifugal type arranged to project a fanshaped stream of abrasive into said blasting chamber and against the workpiece positioned therein, an elevating mechanism operatively connected to said suspension device for reciprocating the workpiece in a substantially vertical direction in said blasting chamber, and means exterior to said chamber operatively connected to said suspension device for rotating the workpiece in the abrasive stream while the workpiece is reciprocated.

12. In an abrading machine, a blasting chamber, a workpiece supporting device extending into said blasting chamber, an abrasive projector of the centrifugal type arranged to project a fanshaped stream of abrasive into said blasting chamber, control means associated with said projector for controlling the direction of discharge of the abrasive thrown therefrom, an elevating mechanism operatively connected to said supporting device for reciprocating the workpiece in a substantially vertical direction in said blasting chamber, and means operatively connecting said control means to said supporting device for shifting the direction of discharge of the thrown abrasive in synchronism with the reciprocating movement of the workpiece.

13. In an abrading machine, a blasting chamber, means for moving a, workpiece in said blasting chamber, an abrasive projector of the centrifugal type arranged to project a fan-shaped stream of abrasive into said blasting chamber, said projector including a rotatably mounted rotor provided with radially arranged abrasive throwing blades extending inwardly short of the axis of rotation of said rotor to provide a. central space, a. pivotally mounted abrasive deflector positioned within said central space for controlling the direction of discharge of the abrasive thrown from said rotor, means for supplying abrasive to said deflector, and means operatively connected to said deflector and said workpiece moving means for shifting the direction of discharge of the thrown abrasive in synchronism with the movement of the workpiece whereby said directed stream is projected against the workpiece during a predetermined movement thereof in said blasting chamber, said deflector shifting means including a fixed spindle in axial alignment with the axis .of said rotor. a collar rotatably mounted on said spindle, means for fixedly securing said collar to said deflector, a lever flxed to said collar projecting laterally therefrom, a slidably mounted cam member, means operably connecting said cam member to said workpiece mov- 7 ing means, a pivotally mounted crank lever in rocking engagement with said cam member, and v means for connecting said crank lever to said collar lever.

14. In an abrading machine, a blasting cham ber, means for moving a workpiece in said blasting chamber, an abrasive projector including a rotatably mounted rotor provided with abrasive throwing blades substantially radially arranged and extending inwardly short of the axis of rotation of said rotor, a pivotally mounted tubular control member having an abrasive discharge aperture therein for controlling the direction of discharge of the abrasive thrown into said chamber, means for impelling the abrasive out through said discharge opening, means for supplying abrasive to said impeller, and means operatively connected to said control member and said workpiece moving means for pivoting said control member to shift the direction of discharge of the thrown abrasive in synchronism with the movement of the workpiece whereby said directioned stream is projected against the workpiece during a, predetermined movement thereof in said blasting chamber, said control member pivoting means including a fixed spindle in axial alignment with the axis of said rotor, a collar rotatably mounted on said spindle, means for flxedly securing said collar to said control member, a lever flxed to said collar projecting laterally therefrom, a pivotally mounted crank lever, means operably connected to said workpiece moving means for rock-,

ing said crank lever, and means connecting said crank lever to saidcollar lever.

15. Apparatus for blast cleaning" metal articles including, in combination, centrifugal means for projecting a divergent, fan-like stream of abrasive particles at abrading velocities, a trackway, a work carrier moving along said trackway having a suspension device for supporting the article to be cleaned so as to provide substantially full exposure of the top and bottom ends and all sides of the article, means for advancing said work carrier along said trackway into, through and out of said abrasive stream, means for rotating the article thus supported in said stream, and means for moving the article simultaneously during rotation thereof back and forth in said stream in the direction of change of vari+ ation in angularity of the fan-shaped stream whereby the article is struck by abrasive particles traveling in various directions, said back-and-- forth moving means including a lever arm, a fulcrum support for said arm about which said arm may be oscillated, continuously driven means for oscillating said arm, means detachably connecting said work carrier to said arm, and means for moving said carrier into and out of operating engagement with said oscillating arm.

16. Apparatus for blast cleaning metal articles including in combination, a centrifugal machine for projecting a divergent, fan-like stream of abrasive particles at abrading velocities, a work carrier, means for suspending the article to be cleaned from said carrier to provide substantially full exposure of the top and bottom ends and all sides of the article, a horizontally extending track for supporting the work carrier, means for advancing the article thus suspended into, through and out of the stream, mechanism for reciprocating the article in said stream in the direction of change of variation in angularity of the portions of the stream, said reciprocating mechanism including an arm, means mounting said arm for oscillating movement, driving means for oscillating said arm, means detachably connecting said carrier to said arm, and means for moving said carrier into and out of operating engagement with said oscillating arm, and means for rotating the article in the stream substantially simultaneously during the reciprocating movement thereof.

17. In abrading apparatus, in combination, a rotor mounted for rotation including, throwing blades extending inwardly short of the axis oLrotation of said rotor to provide a central abrasive receiving space, an abrasive deflector positioned within said central space having a discharge portion whose clockdial position determines the direction of abrasive discharge from said rotor, means for supplying abrasive to said deflector, a carrier for supporting a workpiece, means for movably supporting said deflector to vary the clockdial position of the discharge portions thereof including a fixed spindle having its axis generally in alignment with the axis of said rotor, a collar rotatably mounted on said spindle, means 19. In an abrading machine, a track, a plurality oi. workpiece suspension carriers movable 'along said track, means for intermittently adyancing the workpieces suspended from said car- "riers from a loading zone to a blasting zone and from the blasting zone to an unloading zone, said means including a movably supported endless member having at least a portion thereof extending along at least a portion oi said track, fork elements fixed to and extending laterally from said endless member each adapted to engale one of said carriers to maintain said carriers in predetermined spaced relationship, an

endless drive element having a portion thereof extending a predetermined distance along a section; of said endless member, power means ior continuously moving said drive element along an endless path, and means connected to said endless drive element operatlvely to releasably engage said endless member to intermittently advance said carriers along said track.

, 30. In an abrading machine, a track, a plurality oi workpiece supporting carriers movable along said track, a movably supported endless conveyor chain having at least a portion thereof extending along at least a portion of said track,

' openslot elements fixed to and projecting latfixedly securing said collar to said deflector, and

an arm fixed to and projecting laterally from said collar, means for reciprocating the carrier and workpiece supported thereon, and means operatively connected to said arm and carrier driven by the reciprocating movement oi. said carrier for rocking said deflector in synchronism with the reciprocating movement of said carrier whereby the discharged abrasive follows the workpiece.

18. Apparatus for blast cleaning metal castings, iorgings and the like including, a housing having an inlet and an outlet opening, means for projecting a stream of abrasive into said housing, a track disposed above said housing, a plurality of carriers supported on said track each having a depending article-supporting portion, an opening extending through the length of the top wall of said housing positioned to permit movement of the depending portion of said carriers through said housing, a pair of doors for closing each inlet and outlet opening, hinge. means for said doors including a hinge spindle fixed to each of said doors, hinge elements fixed to the adjacent wall of the cabinet for rotatably supporting each of said hinge spindles and its associated door, the hinge spindle for each pair of adjacent doors being inclined to the vertical so as to normally urge said doors into closed position, and a laterally projecting arm fixed to each of said spindles adapted to be engaged by a portion of said carrier for moving said doors into open position.

erally from said conveyor chain each adapted to engage one of said carriers for maintaining said workpiece supporting carriers in predetermined spaced relationship, and means for advancing said carriers by stop-and-move stages from a loading zone into a blasting zone and out of said blasting zone into an unloading zone, said means including an endless drive chain, power means for continuously moving said drive chain, a device carried by said drive chain adapted to engage said conveyor chain, and means for moving said device into and out of engagement with said conveyor chain during the movement 01 said continuously driven drive chain.

21. In an abradlng machine, an endless track, a plurality 01 article suspending carriers each including a trolley movable along said track member and an article supporting hook suspended therefrom, an endless conveyor chain positioned adjacent said endless track, yoke members each adapted to engage one of said carriers and fixedly connected to and projecting laterally from said conveyor chain whereby said carriers are maintained in predetermined spaced relationship along said track member, an endless drive chain, a dog device carried by said drive chain, means for guiding said dog device into and out of engagement with said conveyor chain where- ,by said carriers are successively advanced by stopand-go stages from a loading zone into a blasting zone and from the blasting zone into an unloading zone, and power means for driving said drive chain. Y DAVID C. TURNBULL. 

